Mar 7, 2011

Weeds Are Growing Like Crazy

As promised, here is card number two in the series made as sets for Christmas gifts.

This was an engrossing card because I had no idea what I was going to do until it took shape during the creative process. That's always fun but I don't know why it also makes me nervous!?! I mean, it's only paper, which I have a ton of, and embellishments, powders and ribbons, which I also have a ton of, so what's the big deal? Somewhat the same feeling you get gazing at a blank sheet of watercolor paper and being afraid to apply the first color. It's an art thing, what can I say. Total neurosis, I digress.

O.k., this is my study in raspberry and tan. Don't blame me, Colormates says its raspberry and who am I to argue? Every once in awhile it's fun to do something unexpected and for me, throwing tan in with just about anything looks unexpected even though I usually like the results after the fact. What you're looking at here is a Colormates Medium Racy Raspberry base with a craft brown mat from my stash so I can't give you a manufacturer on that one. It's embossed with the ever favorite Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder leaving a l" blank area in the bottom half of the mat. This is where I was intending to emboss a greeting but decided to change my approach in mid-stream. Go figure.

Next up, here comes the Medium Racy Raspberry again, using Spellbinders Fair Isle Pendant die studded with jewels in the four corners. On top of that I applied ribbon from Joann's and one of the treatments it always tickles me to use which is finding ribbon that matches one of my stamps! See the Poppy Boxed Set post http://craneislandcomforts.blogspot.com/2010/02/poppy-boxed-set.html and you'll find a card that illustrates this same treatment. Thank you Joann's for cooperating with my desires, that's very sweet!

The focal point is a Spellbinders Large Classic Oval using the #4 die and craft brown paper, also embossing with the same die. The stamp is Stampendous "Weeds" (hence the title of this post, sorry) embossed using Versamark ink and fine white detailing powder. Here's my take on white embossing powder. After holding up numerous brands side by side in the jars, white is not always white. Most of what I've seen is actually off-white and while this might seem like nit picking, when you've spent all of this time and sweat, yes sweat, on a card and the white embossing looks as if the bleach got left out of the wash, well, you get the picture. The whitest white embossing powder I've ever been able to find is from "The Peddler's Pack" in Beaverton, Oregon. They must buy in bulk and repackage it in their own containers but honest, it is WHITE. They have a web site and the owner, Joyce, is always happy to answer any questions, she's is a real delight to speak with on the phone. Remember the beautiful witch in The Wizard of Oz? That's what she sounds like, honest! Love you Joyce. . . .

So, all of this is finished off with three little itty, bitty pearls centered under the oval. I've used water-marked bond paper to line the inside of the card but didn't include a picture since who wants to look at white paper anyway? Hey, not me, I'm still o-zoning on the blank white watercolor paper! Can anyone recommend a good therapist?

2 comments:

The change of mind on the embossed back ground worked and worked well, it falls well into the forground. The ribbon is great…every time I go into Joanns I see ones that I need and what you would love, I need to get them and see what you come up with...get artsy! Tootsie